Nigeria's Super Falcons bowed out of the 2022 CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations on Monday night at the Stade Mohammed Stadium in Morocco by the host nation after a 5-4 penalty shootout loss.

 

The loss means that Nigeria will face Zambia in the battle for third place as South Africa and Morocco progress to the final.

 

According to the Confederation of African Football, the semifinal clash between the Falcons and Lionesses set a record for the highest attendance at an African Women's football game, with 45,562 fans in attendance.

 

 

Allnigeriasoccer.com provides the ratings for the Super Falcons.

 

The Starters

 

Goalkeeper

Chiamaka Nnadozie: Should have palmed the ball into a less dangerous area from Morocco's low cross which they equalised from in the 66th minute. Did everything else well. 9/10

 

Defenders

Onome Ebi: Could have done more on Morocco's equaliser by covering the space quicker but didn't. Didn't lead the defence as she has done throughout this tournament as they were all over the place.

 

Wasn't helped by the two red cards which forced her to do more and later went off injured. 6/10

 

Ohale Osinachi: Was performing well generally until everything came crumbling down. Couldn't do much as she was dragged all around the pitch by Morocco's pacy and tricky attack.

 

Showed great character to avoid tackling in frustration herself. 8/10

 

Toni Payne: Torn to pieces by Morocco, especially after the red cards. Tried hard but couldn't do much as the game slowly slipped away.

 

Looked a bit shaky toward the end as she misplaced some passes in dangerous areas but that could be attributed to fatigue. 7/10

 

Ashleigh Plumptre: Not quite comfortable at left-back against Morocco's quick attack but improved after being moved to her preferred position despite everything already crashing down. Lost track of runners on too many occasions. 7/10

 

Midfielders and strikers

Christy Ucheibe: Little wonder that she was only replaced in the 110th minute. Energetic, strong and courageous even after the setback but things were already out of control.

 

Could have done more to help Nigeria wrestle away control in the first half. All in all, she has had a good tournament. 6.5/10
 
 

Halimatu Ayinde: Sent off for a reckless stamp after a VAR check in the 48th minute. While the decision may seem harsh, Ayinde is an intensity player and sometimes, it may catch up to her and it did against Morocco.

 

Lost control of the midfield towards the end of the first half and that could have influenced her at the beginning of the second half. 4/10

 

Ngozi Okobi-Okeoghene: Taken off for Kanu in the 89th minute, Okobi did all she could to help the team gain some semblance of control. Sadly, the second red proved a step too far. Improved performance from her but it wasn't enough. 6.5/10

 

Rasheedat Ajibade: Incredible turn of pace to in the cross that would give Nigeria the opening goal. Despite growing into the game, she was sent off in the 68th minute for a studs-up challenge.

 

While the referee initially showed her a yellow card, a VAR check upgraded it to a red.

 

She should have no complaints about that as the tackle had the potential to be a career-ending one. 5.5/10

 

Uchenna Kanu: Forced Nigeria's opener from close-range after a loose ball in the 53rd minute was bounded in by a Morocco player.

 

Tireless and full of running but lacked enough quality until she was replaced by Chikwelu in the 80th minute. 6/10

 

Ifeoma Onumonu: Didn't step up when it mattered. Blame could be attributed to the red cards but her movement and anticipation were at a low. Not too surprising that she missed her penalty shootout. To be honest, she should have been replaced in the second half. 5/10

 

The Substitutes

 

Michelle Alozie: Replaced the injured Ebi in the 77th minute and assisted the Super Falcons in holding out for the penalty shootout. 7/10

 
Rita Chikwelu: Came on for Kanu to add more legs to the midfield in the 80th minute. A bit surprising substitution as Chikwelu is not the best option when defending against swift attackers and being two players down. Scored her penalty kick. 5/10

 

Gift Monday: Came on for Okobi in the 89th minute to add fresh legs and help in transitions. Came close to scoring a winner but saw her effort hit the woodwork. 7/10
 

Regina Otu: Replaced Ucheibe in the 110th minute which was clearly due to fatigue. Scored her penalty. 5/10

 

Sofoluwe Mayowa

 

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